Beau Jack emerged from the vibrant New York City music scene in the spring of 1970. The band featured powerhouse vocalist Jack O’Neill, who was well known in the NYC scene due to his work with The Painted Faces, a South Florida acid-punk psych band that gained traction in New York and was ultimately signed by Manhattan Records.

O’Neill teamed with drummer Jack Mack and rising guitar star Earl Slick to form BeauJack. The band quickly made waves, landing support slots for iconic acts like Canned Heat, Richie Havens, and Buddy Miles. They recorded early sides at Decca Studios for Paramount Records and secured a production deal with hitmakers Richie Cordell and Bo Gentry (known for their work with Tommy James). But as the album took shape, internal changes brought the project to a halt. By 1973, BeauJack disbanded—Mack and Slick headed west to LA, and O’Neill relocated to London after signing with April Blackwood/CBS. Shortly after, Slick returned to New York to step into the spotlight as Mick Ronson’s replacement in David Bowie’s band.In 1976, O’Neill reignited the Beau Jack name, teaming up with NYC guitarist John Peterford for a fresh wave of recordings and live performances. With an evolving lineup, the duo laid down tracks at CBS Studios and drew the attention of industry heavyweight Tommy Mottola at Champion Entertainment. While management complications ultimately stalled momentum, the music endures. Fervor Records is proud to be home to Beau Jack’s storied late-’70s recordings, preserving a vital piece of New York rock-and-roll history.